Dermal Anchors

Dermal Anchors are one of the newest types of body modification. The procedure is so new, that not all tattoo shops do dermal anchor body modifications. Not only does Minor Ink Tattoo Parlor do them, but we are one of the leading shops in San Antonio to do dermal anchors. Little is known about the origin of the dermal anchor or who the exact inventor of the process is. After doing research on the subject, I would place the beginning at about the late 1990’s to the early 2000’s.

There are 2 different methods of doing a dermal anchor. The process involves either using a biopsy punch (most commonly used in the medical field to take small pieces of skin for testing) with a diameter of approximately 1.5mm, or the use of a 10g piercing needle. There are pros and cons to using either method base on experience level. There is a greater chance of damaging tissue using the needle. Dermals used with the needle method also have a tendancy to sit better in the skin.

The first step in the dermal anchor process is to make a small incision using either the punch or a needle approximately 1cm deep and 1.5mm across in the skin. Next, the jewelry (shaped like a upside down T with one side shorter than the other and one side containing the jewel) is then popped into the skin long side first. The jewelry is flat on the two ends that go into the skin. The pain associated with a dermal anchor piercing is no more than that of any regular piercing. One dermal anchor procedure should take approximately 5 minutes. Dermal Anchors are becoming more sought out because they can be placed in areas that are harder for a surface piercing. These areas include the chest, side of the face, under the eye, on the finger, in the back dimples, on the side of the body, and on the front of the body where the hips are. .Dermal anchors have a lower rejection rate than regular piercings and they also scar less when removed. Once you get a dermal anchor, you must be very careful that you do not let anything get caught on it or pull on it because this could cause the anchor to rise to the surface. If this happens it will need to be removed. It’s important that the removal of dermal anchors be done by a professional. The process of removal involves making a small slit on the short end of the dermal anchor, the dermal anchor jewelry is then pulled out using hemostats. I have provided a link to a short video that shows me performing a few dermal anchors procedures.